The year is 3010 and a new creature, evolved from the now extinct Papio anubis (Olive baboon) inhabits Africa. This new creature is call Papio viridis noctunus. Africa is a far harsher place than it was 1000 years ago. Global warming as caused temperatures to rise by 15 degrees celsius and animals fight viciously over shade and water when the temperature scores into the high 40s and touch the boiling 50s. Unlike the anubis who favoured the grasslands and savanas bordered by woodlands, viridis noctunus lives almost exclusively in the more covered forest and woodland reigons.
These forested and woodland regions are far less dry than the savana and provide cooler conditions. The viridis nocturnus has adapted and is comfortable, to some degree, in the draining heat, yet still likes to take refuge in these cooler areas. The forested and woodland regions are bursting with plant and animal life. Many new species have developed in the changed climate. Some areas are grassy plains. Hundreds years of deforestation causes trees to never grow again. The Baboons like to hide in the long grass.
Figure 2: Woodlands, favoured habitat to the Papio Virdis Noctunus
Figure 3: The creature would live in grasslands similar to this one shown
Adaptions
Behavioral
Nocturnal
The passing years have turned the Papio viridis noctunus nocturnal. Due to the intense heat of the day and the opportunities of hunting at night the viridis thrives off these new sleeping arrangements. During the day they hide and sleep in the cooler foliage of the trees. At night they make use of their infra-red sight and hunt. The diet of a viridis consists of significantly more meat than its ancestor the baboon. This change in diet has led to it developing a much larger and stronger more muscular body. These new sleeping patterns help the viridis as it is able to hunt more easily and at a cooler time of day.
The main environmental pressure that could have given rise to the changing of sleep patterns the rise in temperate throughout the day and the viridis' development of infra-red sight.
Exclusive mating
The living conditions have become increasingly harsh for the animals in Africa and only the fittest survive. Animals are changing developing and changing rapidly. Papio viridis noctunus have different breeding habits to the Baboon. The female chooses its mate based on their strength, qualities and position in the troop. After choosing a mate and certain rituals are conducted these two become a couple and will produce many offspring over the years. She realises that she is at her weakest during pregnancy therefore isn't going to take the risk with a male whose genetics that wont ensure her offspring is strong. This helps the species as they make strong relationships and the offspring have all the right genetics to grow strong and muscular.
The environmetal pressures that could have given rise to the changing in breeding are the harsh african climate and vicious predators like the Predator Tiger and African Elephant. The Viridis needs to ensure their relationships and offspring are strong to help them survive.
Structural
Larger and stronger, more muscular body.
The Papio Viridis Noctunus has a far more muscular body than than it's ancestor the baboon. The Viridis has a diet high in protein it consumes a great deal of meat, however like the ancient baboon the Viridis still consumes a large amount of fruit and tubers these natural sugars give it large amount of energy. These larger muscles significantly help the Viridis as it allows them to beat the other competition for prey and makes them less or a target to other predators. The strength also allows them to travel up and through the trees at a far faster rate.
Environmental pressure that could have given have given rise to this increase in strength and muscle build are the harsher conditions of the African savanna, grassland, woodland and forest due to global warming and past deforestation.
Pouch
The pouch has developed over a long period of time. It's of a similar design to that of the Australian Kangaroo. All female Papio Viridis Noctunus have a pouch to protect their young. The Viridis are nomadic creatures and the pouch makes traveling with young far easier, quicker and safer. The young sleep in the pouch to keep them safe from predators. Baboons have always been very maternal and this species, Papio Viridis Noctunus is no exception. Mothers like having their offspring close and knowing they are safe. This close relationship that develops in the Viridis' younger years continues throughout its life, they remain close with their mothers.
Environmental pressure that has given rise to this adaption is the growing threat of predators. As there is less habitable land and greater competition for food and space, young animals are far more at risk. The pouch keeps the young out of harm and its loving defensive parents.
Physiological
Infra-red
As the Papio Viridis Noctunus is nocturnal (like it's name suggests) it has the ability to activate infra-red sight. This ability is very similar to that of some snakes , select breeds of pit vipers, boa constrictors and pythons, however Papio Viridis Noctunus is able to easily switch between the two forms of 'sight'. Over hundreds of years these animals have developed pit organs which allow them to 'see' wavelengths between 5 and 30 μm. This infra-red thermal radiation allows the Viridis to effectively find and hunt prey in the dark.
Environmental pressure than could have given rise to this ability to see in infra-red is the Papio Viridis Noctunus turning nocturnal due to the rise in competition of food and land between African predators.
Habitat
The year is 3010 and a new creature, evolved from the now extinct Papio anubis (Olive baboon) inhabits Africa. This new creature is call Papio viridis noctunus. Africa is a far harsher place than it was 1000 years ago. Global warming as caused temperatures to rise by 15 degrees celsius and animals fight viciously over shade and water when the temperature scores into the high 40s and touch the boiling 50s. Unlike the anubis who favoured the grasslands and savanas bordered by woodlands, viridis noctunus lives almost exclusively in the more covered forest and woodland reigons.
These forested and woodland regions are far less dry than the savana and provide cooler conditions. The viridis nocturnus has adapted and is comfortable, to some degree, in the draining heat, yet still likes to take refuge in these cooler areas.
The forested and woodland regions are bursting with plant and animal life. Many new species have developed in the changed climate.
Some areas are grassy plains. Hundreds years of deforestation causes trees to never grow again. The Baboons like to hide in the long grass.
Adaptions
Behavioral
- Nocturnal
- Exclusive mating
StructuralThe passing years have turned the Papio viridis noctunus nocturnal. Due to the intense heat of the day and the opportunities of hunting at night the viridis thrives off these new sleeping arrangements. During the day they hide and sleep in the cooler foliage of the trees. At night they make use of their infra-red sight and hunt. The diet of a viridis consists of significantly more meat than its ancestor the baboon. This change in diet has led to it developing a much larger and stronger more muscular body. These new sleeping patterns help the viridis as it is able to hunt more easily and at a cooler time of day.
The main environmental pressure that could have given rise to the changing of sleep patterns the rise in temperate throughout the day and the viridis' development of infra-red sight.
The living conditions have become increasingly harsh for the animals in Africa and only the fittest survive. Animals are changing developing and changing rapidly. Papio viridis noctunus have different breeding habits to the Baboon. The female chooses its mate based on their strength, qualities and position in the troop. After choosing a mate and certain rituals are conducted these two become a couple and will produce many offspring over the years. She realises that she is at her weakest during pregnancy therefore isn't going to take the risk with a male whose genetics that wont ensure her offspring is strong. This helps the species as they make strong relationships and the offspring have all the right genetics to grow strong and muscular.
The environmetal pressures that could have given rise to the changing in breeding are the harsh african climate and vicious predators like the Predator Tiger and African Elephant. The Viridis needs to ensure their relationships and offspring are strong to help them survive.
The Papio Viridis Noctunus has a far more muscular body than than it's ancestor the baboon. The Viridis has a diet high in protein it consumes a great deal of meat, however like the ancient baboon the Viridis still consumes a large amount of fruit and tubers these natural sugars give it large amount of energy. These larger muscles significantly help the Viridis as it allows them to beat the other competition for prey and makes them less or a target to other predators. The strength also allows them to travel up and through the trees at a far faster rate.
Environmental pressure that could have given have given rise to this increase in strength and muscle build are the harsher conditions of the African savanna, grassland, woodland and forest due to global warming and past deforestation.
The pouch has developed over a long period of time. It's of a similar design to that of the Australian Kangaroo. All female Papio Viridis Noctunus have a pouch to protect their young. The Viridis are nomadic creatures and the pouch makes traveling with young far easier, quicker and safer. The young sleep in the pouch to keep them safe from predators. Baboons have always been very maternal and this species, Papio Viridis Noctunus is no exception. Mothers like having their offspring close and knowing they are safe. This close relationship that develops in the Viridis' younger years continues throughout its life, they remain close with their mothers.
Environmental pressure that has given rise to this adaption is the growing threat of predators. As there is less habitable land and greater competition for food and space, young animals are far more at risk. The pouch keeps the young out of harm and its loving defensive parents.
Physiological
- Infra-red
SourcesAs the Papio Viridis Noctunus is nocturnal (like it's name suggests) it has the ability to activate infra-red sight. This ability is very similar to that of some snakes , select breeds of pit vipers, boa constrictors and pythons, however Papio Viridis Noctunus is able to easily switch between the two forms of 'sight'. Over hundreds of years these animals have developed pit organs which allow them to 'see' wavelengths between 5 and 30 μm. This infra-red thermal radiation allows the Viridis to effectively find and hunt prey in the dark.
Environmental pressure than could have given rise to this ability to see in infra-red is the Papio Viridis Noctunus turning nocturnal due to the rise in competition of food and land between African predators.
CBS Interactive Inc. (2010). Baboon rumps signal quality of motherhood. Retrieved 27th of July, 2010 from http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1200/is_10_159/ai_71843755/
Paul Janseen. (UNKNOWN). Baboon: fact file. Retrieved 27th of July, 2010. from http://www.outtoafrica.nl/animals/engbaboon.html
National Geographic. (2010). Papio Anubis. Retrieved 30th of July, 2010 from http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/baboon/